Bomb threats investigated at 2 local grocery stores

Stores evacuated, no explosive devices found

Published: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:18 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 1:13 p.m.

Two bomb threats with similar circumstances caused alarm Saturday morning, forcing the evacuation of two grocery stores, one in Daytona Beach and one in Daytona Beach Shores.

In one incident, reported at 8:11 a.m. Saturday, a caller reached the Publix at Bellair Plaza, 2595 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. The caller inquired about wiring 1,000 British pounds to London, England, according to a report written by Officer Leonard Timmer with the Daytona Beach Police Department.

The caller then told the store clerk that a man was in the store's aisle 3 watching and that the employee needed to do what the caller said "or people would get hurt."

The store employee wired the money through Western Union, after which the caller stated to get everyone out of the store within 30 seconds. The store was evacuated and police were alerted.

A search of the store by police didn't locate anything suspicious and the store was reopened. The store was able to contact Western Union and cancel the transaction. While Officer Timmer was in the store, the male suspect called back.

Timmer stated the suspect asked: "Are you playing with me? I want my money."

The caller asked for the number to the Publix in Daytona Beach Shores and then hung up, Timmer wrote. The incident is being investigated.

Moments before, a bomb threat also was received at the Winn-Dixie at 2200 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores. In that case, reported at 8:07 a.m., the caller also inquired about wiring money through Western Union, said Sgt. Mike Fowler with the Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department.

The store received a call, "with the caller threatening there was an explosive device inside the building and he threatened to detonate it," Fowler said. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office bomb squad was called to assist. Once the store was deemed safe, customers were allowed to return at 10:32 a.m.

No explosive devices of any kind were found in either store.

Similar ploys have been tried in the past in other places. The Associated Press reported more than a dozen such calls occurred across the country in 2007 and 2009.

<p>Two bomb threats with similar circumstances caused alarm Saturday morning, forcing the evacuation of two grocery stores, one in Daytona Beach and one in Daytona Beach Shores. </p><p>In one incident, reported at 8:11 a.m. Saturday, a caller reached the Publix at Bellair Plaza, 2595 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. The caller inquired about wiring 1,000 British pounds to London, England, according to a report written by Officer Leonard Timmer with the Daytona Beach Police Department. </p><p>The caller then told the store clerk that a man was in the store's aisle 3 watching and that the employee needed to do what the caller said "or people would get hurt." </p><p>The store employee wired the money through Western Union, after which the caller stated to get everyone out of the store within 30 seconds. The store was evacuated and police were alerted. </p><p>A search of the store by police didn't locate anything suspicious and the store was reopened. The store was able to contact Western Union and cancel the transaction. While Officer Timmer was in the store, the male suspect called back. </p><p>Timmer stated the suspect asked: "Are you playing with me? I want my money."</p><p>The caller asked for the number to the Publix in Daytona Beach Shores and then hung up, Timmer wrote. The incident is being investigated. </p><p>Moments before, a bomb threat also was received at the Winn-Dixie at 2200 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores. In that case, reported at 8:07 a.m., the caller also inquired about wiring money through Western Union, said Sgt. Mike Fowler with the Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department.</p><p>The store received a call, "with the caller threatening there was an explosive device inside the building and he threatened to detonate it," Fowler said. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office bomb squad was called to assist. Once the store was deemed safe, customers were allowed to return at 10:32 a.m.</p><p>No explosive devices of any kind were found in either store.</p><p>Similar ploys have been tried in the past in other places. The Associated Press reported more than a dozen such calls occurred across the country in 2007 and 2009.</p>